Question of the Week

"Can you describe the timing of

College Admission testing?"

Two companies in the United States sponsor college admission tests. The College Board offers the PSAT, SAT-I and the SAT-II Subject Tests. American College Testing provides the ACT.

The SAT-I is a three-hour and 45-minute exam designed to measure critical reading, math, and writing skills. The PSAT is the practice test. Severn will automatically register Sophomores and Juniors to take the PSAT on campus. This year's PSAT is October 12.

The ACT is three hours long and measures skills in English, math, reading, and science. A 30-minute Writing Test is an optional component of the ACT. Most colleges require the writing section.

Students are penalized for entering a wrong answer on the SAT-I. Students are not similarly penalized on the ACT; therefore, it is to the student's advantage to answer every question on the ACT.
SAT vs. ACT: Almost all colleges and universities will accept either the SAT or the ACT. Some state their preference. Still others will accept the ACT as a substitute for their SAT Subject Tests requirement. Testing policies will vary from college to college.

Revolution Prep offers test preparation courses at Severn, and some juniors may choose this option for this winter or spring (for more information, please see their website: www.revolutionprep.com).  Financial aid is available to those who qualify.  Other students will find success by reading on their own and by using one of many available books to prepare for and practice taking the SAT.  For the first time this year, Revolution Prep will offer a free mock ACT test to Severn juniors on Saturday, November 12th.   More information will follow in the Binnacle.

Score Choice: The ACT has always given students the option of reporting their best ACT scores by test date. Now this same option is offered by the College Board. Beginning with the class of 2010, students may choose to send SAT scores by test date and SAT Subject Test scores by individual tests. The College Board ruled out allowing students to mix and match their best math, critical reading, and writing scores from the different test dates. However, most colleges will continue to follow this practice if they receive more than one set of scores.

Score Choice is optional. If students do not use it, all scores will be sent to colleges automatically. All scores will still appear on reports sent to students and counselors.

Keep in mind that, regardless of the policy of the College Board, colleges may set their own test requirements. All the more reason for students to follow college application instructions carefully.

Reporting Scores: Severn students are responsible for having their scores sent directly to colleges from the appropriate testing agency. Admission test scores do not appear on a student's transcript.

 Typical SAT/ACT Testing Sequence

Grade	Date	Test
Tenth Grade	October	PSAT
Eleventh Grade	October January+May June	PSAT SAT-I SAT-II Subject Tests ACT (optional)
Twelfth Grade	October November	SAT-I ACT (optional) SAT-I